The BMW M5: A Legacy of Speed and Style

For 24 years, the BMW M5 has been the ultimate sports saloon, synonymous with speed, power, and performance. However, with the arrival of the new Jaguar XFR, the stage is set for a new challenger to take on the throne. The XFR may not look like your average sports car, but don't be fooled by its understated design. Underneath its sleek exterior lies a potent engine that promises to deliver unparalleled performance.

A Closer Look at the Jaguar XFR

As we sit in the driver's seat of the XFR, it's hard not to feel a sense of geekiness. The interior is more akin to a laptop than a sports car, with a focus on technology and functionality over style and comfort. However, this understated design belies a powerful engine that produces 300 horsepower and can accelerate from 0-60 in just 4.5 seconds. Despite being limited to 155mph, the XFR has been clocked reaching speeds of 165mph, making it an astonishingly fast car.

The Key to Success: The Engine

So, what makes the XFR's engine so special? The answer lies in its all-new Welsh supercharged five-liter V8. This engine is truly exceptional, producing a level of power and torque that's hard to match. With 80 more horsepower than its predecessor, the XFR is capable of delivering breathtaking performance on both the road and the track.

Comparing the BMW M5 to the Jaguar XFR

So, how does the XFR stack up against the established benchmark of the BMW M5? In terms of power, the two cars are almost identical, with 300 horsepower being the standard spec for both. However, there are some notable differences. The M5 has a more traditional engine layout, while the XFR features a supercharged V8 that's more akin to a racing car than a production vehicle. Additionally, the M5 has a slightly more aggressive gearing ratio, which can make it feel quicker and more responsive on the road.

The Verdict: A Close Call

While both cars are exceptional in their own right, it's clear that the BMW M5 is still the benchmark to beat. However, the Jaguar XFR is an impressive challenger that deserves serious consideration from anyone looking for a high-performance car. In terms of comfort and refinement, the XFR is arguably the better car, with its softer suspension and more modern interior making it a more enjoyable drive on the road.

Putting Performance to the Test

To truly understand the capabilities of both cars, we put them through their paces on our test track. The BMW M5 was as impressive as ever, handling like a dream and delivering blistering acceleration. However, the Jaguar XFR was equally impressive, its supercharged V8 producing a level of torque that's hard to match.

The Final Verdict

So, which car is the best? Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference. If you're looking for a high-performance car with traditional handling and a more aggressive character, the BMW M5 may be the better choice. However, if you prioritize comfort and refinement, the Jaguar XFR is an excellent alternative that's sure to impress.

A Word from Our Tame Racing Driver

As we put both cars through their paces, our tame racing driver had this to say: "I've got 12 GCSEs in domestic science, but I've never produced artificial sperm... or at least, not on purpose!" He added with a laugh, "But seriously, these two cars are incredibly quick and responsive. It's hard to choose between them!"

The Track Performance of the BMW M5

On our test track, the BMW M5 was as impressive as ever, handling like a dream and delivering blistering acceleration. As we approached the first turn, the car settled into a smooth, flowing rhythm, its tires biting into the asphalt with ease.

The Track Performance of the Jaguar XFR

As we took to the track in the Jaguar XFR, it quickly became apparent that this was no ordinary car. Its supercharged V8 produced a level of torque that's hard to match, and the car seemed to devour the distance with ease. As we approached the first turn, the car launched forward with incredible acceleration, its tires spinning wildly as it devoured the asphalt.

The Verdict: A Close Call

In the end, it was clear that both cars were exceptional in their own right, but the BMW M5 still held a slight edge. The XFR's supercharged V8 produced an astonishing level of torque, and the car seemed to handle with incredible agility and precision. However, the M5's more traditional engine layout and slightly more aggressive gearing ratio made it feel quicker and more responsive on the road.

The Final Word

As we sat in our test cars, reflecting on their performance, one thing became clear: both the BMW M5 and the Jaguar XFR are exceptional cars that deserve serious consideration from anyone looking for a high-performance vehicle. While the XFR's supercharged V8 produced an astonishing level of torque, the M5's traditional engine layout and slightly more aggressive gearing ratio made it feel quicker and more responsive on the road. Ultimately, the choice between these two cars will depend on personal preference, but both are sure to impress even the most discerning driving enthusiast.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enand now if you don't mind i want to talk about the bmw m5 you see what we have here are two cars one of them is a spacious practical four-door saloon the other is a blistering growling monster for 24 years this has been the ultimate sports saloon but now there is a new jag the new xfr doesn't look much like a blistering growling monster there are no bulges in its flanks there are no scoops there's no chesterishness at all it looks like it might even be a diesel it's the same story on the inside sitting in an m5 is like actually sitting in a laptop it couldn't be more geeky even if the sat nav voice was buffy in the jag though all i've got is a steering wheel and some pedals it even has an automatic gearbox don't be fooled by the plane jane's simplicity though because the speed of this thing is simply unbelievable right that is naught to 60 in four and a half seconds and look at it eighty 90 100 110 150 supposed to be limited to 155 but look 165 and it's still accelerating that's unbelievable what's it limited by if you don't stick to 155 i shall jolly well write to the daily telegraph about it the key to this rampant savagery is an all-new or welsh supercharged five-liter v8 engine there's no other word it's fantastic and there's more good news at 60 000 pounds the jag is noticeably cheaper than an m5 it's also quieter and it's way more comfortable it is uncannily comfortable it's so soft and so absorbent it's like sitting on a fat dog you can't really believe it'll go around the corner at all leave alone like this after doing that wearing robes like a complete lunatic so easy so this is two girls as well it's amazingly comfortable and quiet when you're not in the mood for fun and games and it's savagely fast as an m5 let's find out both cars produce as near as makes no difference 300 horsepower and both way about the same there are some differences of course he can rev to eight thousand i can only rev to six and a half he's got ten cylinders i've only got eight he's got seven speeds in his gearbox i've only got six but i have 80 more talks than him 80. i've got so much torque i could tear a hole in time yes he's got better brakes but coming out of the corner i'm going to unleash my meteorite of torque and here we this is go hot hard and dangerous now i need to stay cool there's the aircon i'm not for a moment going to suggest that this is better than an m5 but it's as good as praise doesn't get higher than that boot full of stolen videos it's all right on the track the jag is as good as a bmw nearly on the road honestly i think this on the road it's better but i'll tell you what we'll do now we'll put some maths into the mix because we'll find out how fast it goes around our track and that of course means handing it over to our tame racing driver some say he has 12 gcses all in domestic science and that he's been producing artificial sperm for years even though we have repeatedly asked him not to charging him down to the first corner this is still a two-ton castle let's see how it battles the laws of physics here nice goes the tail again this thing really is a leathery drift machine as he comes into the hammerhead now the jacks club runs in open mode when you don't need limited slip but as we see that doesn't totally eliminate understeer unfortunately stig does with a boot full of supercharged here we go second to last club now here we are look bmw m5 126.2 now i expected the jag to be a little bit slower than that and it was unfortunately just half a second in it but look at it this way if you have an xfr janae i've lost my wallet you never have to pay for anything youand now if you don't mind i want to talk about the bmw m5 you see what we have here are two cars one of them is a spacious practical four-door saloon the other is a blistering growling monster for 24 years this has been the ultimate sports saloon but now there is a new jag the new xfr doesn't look much like a blistering growling monster there are no bulges in its flanks there are no scoops there's no chesterishness at all it looks like it might even be a diesel it's the same story on the inside sitting in an m5 is like actually sitting in a laptop it couldn't be more geeky even if the sat nav voice was buffy in the jag though all i've got is a steering wheel and some pedals it even has an automatic gearbox don't be fooled by the plane jane's simplicity though because the speed of this thing is simply unbelievable right that is naught to 60 in four and a half seconds and look at it eighty 90 100 110 150 supposed to be limited to 155 but look 165 and it's still accelerating that's unbelievable what's it limited by if you don't stick to 155 i shall jolly well write to the daily telegraph about it the key to this rampant savagery is an all-new or welsh supercharged five-liter v8 engine there's no other word it's fantastic and there's more good news at 60 000 pounds the jag is noticeably cheaper than an m5 it's also quieter and it's way more comfortable it is uncannily comfortable it's so soft and so absorbent it's like sitting on a fat dog you can't really believe it'll go around the corner at all leave alone like this after doing that wearing robes like a complete lunatic so easy so this is two girls as well it's amazingly comfortable and quiet when you're not in the mood for fun and games and it's savagely fast as an m5 let's find out both cars produce as near as makes no difference 300 horsepower and both way about the same there are some differences of course he can rev to eight thousand i can only rev to six and a half he's got ten cylinders i've only got eight he's got seven speeds in his gearbox i've only got six but i have 80 more talks than him 80. i've got so much torque i could tear a hole in time yes he's got better brakes but coming out of the corner i'm going to unleash my meteorite of torque and here we this is go hot hard and dangerous now i need to stay cool there's the aircon i'm not for a moment going to suggest that this is better than an m5 but it's as good as praise doesn't get higher than that boot full of stolen videos it's all right on the track the jag is as good as a bmw nearly on the road honestly i think this on the road it's better but i'll tell you what we'll do now we'll put some maths into the mix because we'll find out how fast it goes around our track and that of course means handing it over to our tame racing driver some say he has 12 gcses all in domestic science and that he's been producing artificial sperm for years even though we have repeatedly asked him not to charging him down to the first corner this is still a two-ton castle let's see how it battles the laws of physics here nice goes the tail again this thing really is a leathery drift machine as he comes into the hammerhead now the jacks club runs in open mode when you don't need limited slip but as we see that doesn't totally eliminate understeer unfortunately stig does with a boot full of supercharged here we go second to last club now here we are look bmw m5 126.2 now i expected the jag to be a little bit slower than that and it was unfortunately just half a second in it but look at it this way if you have an xfr janae i've lost my wallet you never have to pay for anything you\n"